THE arsonist who murdered three-year-old Francesca Bimpson by torching her family home will serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars.

Graham Heaps, 44, was caged for life for killing the youngster by pouring petrol through the letterbox of her Everton home and setting it alight.

Francesca became trapped in an upstairs bedroom and suffered massive burns. Despite more than six operations she died three weeks later in hospital.

Heaps sat impassively as moving victim impact statements from Francesca’s parents, brother and sister were read out, reducing many sitting in the public gallery and two jurors to tears.

He showed no emotion as trial judge Mr Justice Henriques branded his actions “vengeful and cowardly”.

The pub handyman was then asked to stand as he was told his sentence, but he gave no reaction other than to say “thank you” to the judge.

Francesca’s dad Kieron Bimpson shouted “Bye” as Heaps, wearing a dark three-piece suit, was led away by three security guards, while her mum and many relatives wept quietly.

Heaps will be at least 72-years-old before he is even considered for release.

Mr Justice Henriques told him: “Your shocking and wicked act in setting fire to a family home with four children asleep in their beds was, in my judgement, motivated by sheer spite.

“It was a vengeful and cowardly attack.

“It was a simultaneous attack on a family-of-six in their own home.

“You felt animosity towards this family, that was conclusively proven by the evidence. Your feelings were completely unjustified.”

The trial judge said he had “no doubt” Heaps’ horrific actions had been sparked by his feelings of rejection after Francesca’s aunt Linda Skelhorne ended their short relationship.

He said: “I have no doubt that you deeply resented that fact and you could not accept the rejection.”

Her decision triggered bitter Heaps into sending a string of “grossly obscene messages” to Linda’s friends and family, including Francesca’s mum Eleanor Skelhorne.

The judge said: “You made a deliberate and premeditated decision to take revenge upon this family for this perceived slight to your dignity.”

Mr Justice Henriques added: “You knew the Bimpson family.

“You had been a guest in their home and you had met all the children, you knew they had a babe-in-arms and a little girl aged three-and-a-half years, you knew her name was Francesca.

“You must have known how difficult, indeed impossible it would be, to evacuate the house yet you poured petrol both inside and outside and struck a light.

“You waited for it to take hold, all the time you had a mobile phone in your pocket where it stayed.

“Your intention was to burn, to kill, this whole family in their beds as they slept.”

The judge said he had no doubt Heaps, who suffered burns to his arms and coat while starting the devastating blaze on December 2 last year, had run into the house to deliberately cover his tracks.

During his lengthy sentencing comments, the judge spoke of the “considerable” aggravating factors, including the degree of planning and premeditation, the age of the children inside the house and the suffering Francesca endured.

He said: “The physical suffering inflicted upon the deceased before her death was quite terrible.

“She had suffered 86% burns. She underwent operation after operation, endless skin grafts and surgery and continued to struggle for her life in intensive care.

“Not only was there massive suffering between the criminality and her death but there was virtual destruction of her body.”

The judge also went on to describe the suffering and pain also inflicted upon Francesca’s parents, brother and two sisters by his actions and their guilt in not being able to rescue the toddler.

He said: “All I can say, and this is said with all sympathy, is that nobody listening to the evidence could possibly think any member of the family could possibly have done anything more.

“They are all victims of this terrible crime and the physical and mental suffering is a significant aggravating feature for which you must be punished.”

But he warned Heaps, formerly of Conwy Drive, Everton, but now of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, south Wales, he may never be released.

Following his sentencing, the judge praised the skill of the trial barristers and the police investigation team, saying he would write to the Chief Constable with a judicial commendation.

He also thanked the seven men and five women of the jury.

The judge paid tribute to the “heroic efforts” of both Francesca’s uncle Frank Skelhorne and her dad in trying to save the family.

He described how Mr Skelhorne had battled the flames to rescue his relatives.

He said: “Having listened to the evidence it required an act of supreme bravery on the behalf of Frank Skelhorne to save his sister Eleanor and the baby Ann-Marie.

“He smashed in the front door and ran through the flames. He rescued mother and child, who on the evidence would plainly have perished but for his heroic actions. He was restrained from returning to the flames in an attempt to rescue Francesca.”